Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the introduction of an Indigenous Languages Act during a special assembly of First Nations leaders Tuesday in Gatineau.
Trudeau said he made the announcement in hopes of preserving and revitalizing First Nations, Metis and Inuit languages in Canada.
The Assembly of First Nations is meeting in Gatineau this week to discuss the progress being made by indigenous people in the past year.
During the opening ceremony many leading chiefs from across the country introduced themselves and made opening remarks.
Will Landon, also known as Standing White Bear, represents the National Youth Council for the AFN.
The Ojibwa man from the Rat Portage First Nation said the federal government must provide clear and transparent funding to help aboriginal youth.
"It's no secret that we are underfunded, detrimentally underfunded in all sectors. So we must pressure the Treasury Board and the ministries to open the books. We must demand to know who and what justifies the government's decision when they put a value on the lives of our young people" said Standing White Bear.
In October he addressed the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs on youth suicides, including his attempt to take his own life.
Standing White Bear called on the federal government to help address the deeper issues, to assess the health of individuals, and to help the First Nations take the lead in controlling more resources.
Hundreds of grand chiefs are at the meeting, and listened to Trudeau Tuesday afternoon, although threatened to walk out because of recent approval of pipeline expansions.
“Long term, when the dollars run out and our waters become contaminated, our young people will wonder why they don't have access to clean water and we can say it's because of these projects,” said Cheyenne Fineday of the AFN Youth Council.
Trudeau addressed improving relations among all communities, the financial needs of indigenous people and pipelines.
“It is a joint effort with indigenous peoples, aimed at de-colonializing Canada's laws and policies, that for so long have held back, rather than recognize, indigenous rights,” Trudeau said.
Denise Stonefish, chair of the AFN Women’s Council said the inquiry into murdered and missing aboriginal women is a priority.
“We know that this is a two-year mandate, but it's been over six months, so how much more time can a year and half wrap up what needs to be done about missing and murdered indigenous women and girls?” she said.
Emotional Gord Downie honoured
Tragically Hip singer Gord Downie sobbed as he was honoured at the Assembly in a touching moment.
"It will take 150 years, or seven generations, to heal the wound of the residential school, to become a country that can truly call ourselves Canada. It means we must become one," Downie said, at times sounding short of breath.
"We must walk down a path of reconciliation from now on. Together and forever. This is the first day of forever. The greatest day of my life. The greatest day of all our lives."
Downie's latest project, Secret Path, is about Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old Ojibwa boy who died in 1966 after running away from his Residential School in Ontario.
Downie, who has terminal brain cancer, was given an eagle feather, wrapped in a special star protection blanket and given a new name: He Who Walks Among the Stars.
Trudeau looked on as Downie was embraced by AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde to loud cheers from the meeting.
With files from the Canadian Press
